National University System Repository
Not a member yet
5119 research outputs found
Sort by
Healing From the Harmful Teachings of Evangelical Christian Purity Culture
No full textEvangelical Purity Culture (EPC) was a movement promoting the importance of sexual abstinence before marriage throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. This movement was primarily aimed at adolescents and young adults within the Evangelical Christian church community; however, its teachings extended to public schools and gained attention in prominent media sources as well. The teachings of EPC promote patriarchal norms, traditional Western gender roles, perpetuate rape culture, promote sexual double standards, and lead to internalized shame. EPC and its messages were particularly harmful to women. As EPC removed bodily and sexual autonomy, many individuals who were raised with its teachings have symptoms consistent with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and Religious Trauma. This paper explores the harmful teachings of EPC and its effects on women and explores ways to promote healing and rebuild a healthy Sexual Ethic. This paper proposes an eight-week Group Therapy curriculum for women who have been harmed by the teachings of EPC
Fostering Growth Through Student Self-Image Development and Classroom Engagement to Create an Effective Team; A Classroom Action Research Study
No full textThis was a classroom action research study focused on unifying student growth, beliefs, and abilities by uniting students, encouraging them to take part in building classroom community, and increase student engagement to create an effective team. The participants were a 2nd grade classroom of 22 students. 17 students' primary language was Spanish, 2 students primary language was Arabic, 1 student's primary language was Russian, 1 student's primary language was Ukrainian, and 1 student's primary language was English. A question that arose during this investigation was how I build student confidence and allow them to grow individually as well as a larger community of learners. My goal was to ensure that students of all backgrounds and
personality types were able to bond, trust each other, grow as individuals, and learn in a collaborative environment to become an effective team. By collecting qualitative data spanning 9 weeks of the school year, I implemented videos, affirmations, mindfulness practices, and group lessons with games week to week in order to promote student self-confidence, foster growth, belief in their own learning abilities, develop classroom engagement, and build community to create an inclusive team environment. Results showed correlation between whole group learning through games and team building with positive inclusive outlooks. As well as positive reflections with the mindfulness applications and an improvement in students reporting positive school day outlooks
The Impact of Attachment Styles and Self-Esteem on Romantic Relationships Along with the Development of ‘Earned’ Secure Attachment Style
No full textThis paper examines literature around attachment, self-esteem, and how they can impact romantic relationships in young adulthood. This paper will also explore the different attachment styles and how attachment styles can influence a person's development of self-esteem. Further research on the topic of attachment will also explore the ‘earned’ secure attachment style and how developing an 'earned' secure attachment can positively impact a person’s romantic relationship. Finally, the author will layout a workshop that could be used to help therapists who work with teens and young adults have tools to build a more secure attachment style
Transitioning to Motherhood: Navigating the Changes in Self-Identity and the Experiences Associated with Becoming a New Mother
No full textThe intent of this research was to determine how does the transition to motherhood impacts a woman's identity, with an emphasis on the importance of maternal experiences. The literature review draws from a range of theoretical frameworks, particularly matricentric feminist theory, highlighting the complexities of maternal identity and the psychological, social, and cultural factors at play. Ultimately, this review underscores the importance of recognizing motherhood as a significant life transition that shapes women’s identities in multifaceted ways. By prioritizing the exploration of maternal identity, this research aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological and social dimensions of motherhood, with the potential to enhance clinical practices and support systems for mothers navigating this critical phase of life
Factors Influencing Outcomes for Indigenous Peoples Seeking Treatment for Addiction
No full textThis capstone project details the factors contributing to the disparities in both addiction prevalence and outcomes for Indigenous clients seeking and receiving addiction treatment. Research has identified factors both past (colonialism, intergenerational trauma) and present (systemic racism, lack of culturally-specific care) that contribute to this disparity. This capstone begins by exploring these factors in detail and presenting an overview of the current treatment options available to Indigenous clients and their effectiveness. There is also a discussion of the ethical implications of working with this population, the best practices indicated by research up to the present, and the gaps in care that currently face Indigenous clients seeking addiction care. Findings consistently point to the need for more opportunities for Indigenous peoples to develop and provide care within their communities autonomously, with governments and other stakeholders taking a supportive allyship role. Recommendations are offered for current and future counsellors working with this population to best serve these clients through culturally- competent care and collaboration
Aging and Mental Health: The Complexities of Positive Well-being
Get PDFThis capstone aimed to enhance the reader's comprehension of the aging process, and the complexities involved in maintaining positive subjective well-being, shedding light on the perspective of older adults and elucidating the varying degrees of mental health. Aging does not inherently lead to unhappiness; many older adults experience positive well-being, indicating a complex relationship between aging and emotional health. The capstone delved into the multifaceted nature of aging, with a focus on the role of Subjective Well-Being (SWB) and its components, including positive affect, emotional profiles, and emotional regulation. Additionally, best practices for counsellors working with older adults are highlighted, along with recommendations for future research in this field, emphasizing the promotion of mental well-being during the aging process. The discussion in this capstone provides a deeper understanding of potential applications and considerations, offering valuable insights for mental health professionals, researchers, and practitioners in the field of counselling
The Ethics and Efficacy of Kink-Affirming Therapeutic Practice
Get PDFBDSM, encompassing bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadism/masochism, represents a multifaceted subculture often misunderstood and stigmatized in society despite its increasing visibility in mainstream media (Wuyts, 2022). Historically confined to underground communities, BDSM includes diverse practices and identities involving psychological, physical, and emotional play (Easton & Hardy, 2009). While media portrayals have raised public awareness, they frequently perpetuate harmful stereotypes, necessitating a more nuanced understanding of BDSM (Hillier, 2018). Academic research has begun to explore BDSM's complexities, recognizing its diverse membership across sexual orientations, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds (Moon, 2012; Hillier, 2018). Despite growing awareness, BDSM practitioners face stigma, particularly in healthcare and mental health settings, where biased or inadequate care can have significant negative impacts on well-being (Kolmes et al., 2006; Kaplan, 1980). This paper aims to destigmatize BDSM practices, highlight the risks of uninformed counselor biases, and explore the therapeutic potential within kink practices. It underscores the importance of kink-affirming care to prevent client shame and support self-actualization. By examining existing literature on kink-affirming care and its implications for ethical and effective counseling, this study seeks to advocate for greater cultural competence among mental health professionals to enhance client support and therapeutic outcomes
Envisioning Inclusive Therapeutic Access for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
No full textPursuing a master's degree in counselling involves learning how to work with all populations of people. Students are taught to be aware of marginalized communities and work towards removing barriers so that counselling can be inclusive and accessible to all (Beer et al., 2012). However, research suggests that although there is a social justice lens, there is often little to no discussion or training regarding the disabled community. More specifically adults with developmental disabilities (Maddox, et al., 2019). These individuals often need support and are struggling to find counsellors. In a questionnaire, counsellors noted that they tend to refer out or do not accept clients with developmental disabilities because they feel less confident in serving them (Adams & Young, 2020; Lipinski et al., 2021). This is a gap that needs to be addressed. This paper will outline current research about the barriers to receiving counselling services as well as suggestions for improvements. In conclusion the paper will create a workshop that educates counsellors on how to support and advocate for this population group
Graduate Psychology Programs’ Self-Care Culture and Student Behaviour
No full textGraduate training represents a crucial period for aspiring professional psychologists. However, it also involves increased stress and demands, elevating the risks of adverse outcomes among graduate students. Prior research supports self-care as an effective strategy for preventing and mitigating the stressors of graduate training and preparing students for future professional practice. However, it also suggests that graduate training often underemphasized self-care, prompting researchers to advocate for a stronger self-care culture within graduate programs. This paper explores how the self-care culture in graduate programs influences student behaviours. A review of current literature provides an overview of self-care in professional psychology, graduate students' self-care experiences, the responsibility of self-care competencies, and the impact of graduate programs’ self-care culture. The findings suggest that a stronger self-care culture in graduate programs is associated with greater student engagement in self-care behaviours. Additionally, it identified self-care as a foundational competency necessary for effective and ethical professional practice. As such, it highlights the need for a collective and comprehensive approach to developing self-care competencies through strengthening graduate programs’ self-care culture. By prioritizing self-care early in training, graduate programs can support future psychologists’ personal resilience and professional longevity
Beyond Affirmation: Applying Liberation Psychology to Expand 2SLGBTQI+ Counselling
No full textIn this paper, I explore the unique challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ clients and examine the potential of using a liberation psychology (LP) framework in counselling this population. Despite legal advancements, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals continue to face discrimination, resulting in higher rates of mental health issues compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. While psychology has shifted towards more inclusive care models, critics argue for more radical frameworks, particularly for clients with multiple marginalized identities. LP, rooted in anti-colonial discourse, views mental health distress as a manifestation of social and historical oppression rather than individual pathology. I discuss how counsellors have applied LP principles to 2SLGBTQI+ contexts, emphasizing the recognition of social and internalized oppression. I argue that LP provides a comprehensive framework for an anti-heteronormative and anti-cisnormative counselling approach, supporting clients in deconstructing oppression, reclaiming queer lineage, and celebrating 2SLGBTQI+ strengths. To illustrate a practical application, I propose a support group for 2SLGBTQI+ university students based on a LP framework